The Cleveland Browns aren’t used to comeback wins. They’re especially not used to double-digit fourth-quarter comeback wins.
But behind the arms of quarterback Joe Flacco, tight end David Njoku and wide receiver Amari Cooper, as well as the leg of kicker Dustin Hopkins and the ever-impregnable defense, Cleveland did just that. The Browns beat the Chicago Bears, 20-17, despite trailing 17-10 heading into the fourth quarter. Flacco led three scoring drives – two field goals and one touchdown – in the final frame to win the game.
The victory was impressive for the Browns’ 2023 seasonal standings, but it also broke a 49-game losing streak in games they trailed by 10 or more in the final quarter, according to NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano.
The last time Cleveland won a game despite a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter was a Week 5 match against the Tennessee Titans. in 2014. The Browns were down 28-13 with 15 minutes left in the game before the team scored 16 unanswered points to win the game.
The Browns opened up the quarter with a blocked punt for a safety to draw within two scores with 11:02 to play. Then, quarterback Brian Hoyer connected with wideout Travis Benjamin twice in the final seven minutes of the game – including one with 1:09 left – to snag the victory.
This time around it only took one touchdown and two field goals, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the play of Flacco. He threw for 212 passing yards in the fourth quarter, which set a 45-year high for the franchise. The win almost marked the fifth time the Browns won in the final two minutes this season – which also set a franchise record.
Cleveland sits at 9-5 heading into Week 16 with a clear path to the postseason thanks to Flacco and the defense. Games against the Houston Texans, New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals await.
